Quillette Cetera

Richard Hanania is an American political scientist and commentator, known for his right-wing perspectives and as president of the Center for the Study of Partisanship and Ideology. He faced controversy in 2023 when his past writings under a pseudonym advocating white nationalism resurfaced, which he has since disavowed. His book, The Origins of Woke, critiques identity politics and has sparked both praise and criticism. In this conversation, Richard shares his journey from academia to becoming a public commentator, discussing his views on nervousness, political identity, and the complexities of group differences. He reflects on his libertarian beliefs, the challenges of academia, and the role of media in shaping public perception. The dialogue explores the nuances of political views and the importance of individual liberty, while also addressing the market dynamics of controversial topics. In this conversation, Richard discusses his experiences with media, his views on political engagement, and the current state of American politics. He expresses concerns about the Republican Party's direction and reflects on the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, emphasizing the need for a realistic approach to peace in the region. Richard also shares insights on the implications of Trump's policies and the future of Middle Eastern relations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the 23rd of October, I sat down in Sydney, Australia, with the esteemed ethicist and theologian Nigel Biggar—Regius Professor Emeritus of Moral and Pastoral Theology at the University of Oxford—to discuss King Charles' visit to Australia, whether Australia should cut ties with the British monarchy and become a republic, what it means to be a patriot, far-left activism, cancel culture, and whether we should be ashamed of our colonial past. I deeply enjoyed Nigel's 2023 book, Colonialism: A Moral Reckoning, which was reviewed in Quillette. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Until recently, David Benatar was a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Cape Town in South Africa, where he also directed the university’s Bioethics Centre. He is widely known for his controversial and challenging views on topics like antinatalism—captured in his groundbreaking book Better Never to Have Been: The Harm of Coming into Existence—which argues that bringing new life into the world inevitably leads to suffering. In addition to his work on antinatalism, Benatar has written extensively on practical ethics, morality, and human suffering, and his most recent contributions to Quillette have focused on the conflict in Israel and rising antisemitism in the Anglosphere. In this conversation, we reflect on the anniversary of 7 October and the ethical questions it raises. The conversation concludes with a discussion of his new book, Very Practical Ethics: Engaging Everyday Moral Questions (2024). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this conversation, Roger Berkowitz discusses the profound influence of Hannah Arendt on political thought, her practical philosophy, and the relevance of her ideas in contemporary society. He explores Arendt's views on truth, opinion, the role of intellectuals, and the dangers of bureaucracy. The discussion also delves into the complexities of Zionism, anti-Semitism, and the importance of friendship and disagreement in politics. Berkowitz emphasizes the need for critical thinking and engagement with Arendt's work to navigate today's political landscape. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Justo Antonio Triana reflects on his experience growing up in Cuba under a dictatorship, highlighting the pervasive poverty, lack of freedom, and challenges faced by Cuban women. He debunks the myth of Cuba’s healthcare system and explores how tourism exacerbates the struggles of ordinary Cubans. Coming from a family of professors, he sheds light on the different social classes in Cuba and the difficulties they encountered in academia, compounded by political indoctrination and severely limited access to the internet and media. Triana critiques the idealized vision of Cuba that never aligned with reality and speaks to the deeper history of the country, revealing the failed promises of the regime. His personal journey led him to the United States, where he discovered Quillette and FIRE, organizations dedicated to free speech—an issue close to his heart, particularly in observing challenges to open discourse on American campuses. A poet with a forthcoming novel about a Cuban escaping communism, he emphasizes the enduring need for free expression and hopes for a future in which the Cuban regime falls, allowing true freedom for his homeland. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This conversation covers two main topics. Firstly, liberalism and "new theism", an idea popularised by Tom Holland and Ayaan Hirsi Ali, who believe that the secular west is spiritually bankrupt. The second half of the conversation involves a critique of political realism and in particular, John Mearsheimer's work on the Israel Lobby and the Russia-Ukraine war. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Mike Israetel is a well-known figure in the fitness and bodybuilding community, recognized for his expertise in sports science, particularly in the areas of hypertrophy (muscle growth), strength training, and nutrition. He holds a PhD in Sport Physiology and has a background in competitive bodybuilding, powerlifting, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. As someone with a keen interest in bodybuilding, I've been following Dr. Mike for a while and appreciate how he blends his expertise in sports science with witty humor and quips on "woke" ideology. Bodybuilders aren't often known for their intelligence, but Dr. Mike is an exception. His interest in philosophy, politics, and free-market economics led him to discover Quillette. When I saw that he started following Quillette's Instagram page, I invited him on the podcast to talk, not about protein, squats, and bench-presses, but about the Enlightenment, religion, war, and anti-semitism. For those of you who know Dr. Mike, I hope you enjoy seeing his more philosophical, political side. For those of you who don't know him, I hope this conversation inspires you to not only train your brain (by reading Quillette) but also train your body. As Dr. Mike says in this conversation, "I think challenging yourself in the gym can become something that teaches you a little bit more about the deeper wisdom in life," something that Ancient Greek philosophers such as Socrates would probably agree with. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Warren Farrell discusses his latest book, 'From Rolemate to Soulmate,' which draws on his decades of counseling couples. He highlights the importance of effectively handling criticism in relationships and the consequences of not feeling heard. Dr. Farrell also explores the different forms of violence in relationships and challenges the notion that men are the sole perpetrators. He emphasizes the need for couples to create a conflict-free zone and learn to understand and appreciate each other's perspectives. Additionally, he discusses the importance of compatibility in relationships and the role of communication in bridging ideological differences. The conversation covers topics such as monogamy vs. non-monogamy, the challenges of polyamory and open relationships, the impact of children on relationships, the importance of communication, the struggles faced by men in modern society, and the concept of consent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Pavlou is an Australian student and activist. He made international news after he led protests at the University of Queensland in Australia, supporting Hong Kong and criticizing the university's ties to China. His actions led to a high-profile disciplinary case against him by the university, and a $3.5 million lawsuit which was recently settled. While his methods of protest have softened over the years, he remains a vocal advocate for liberal democratic values, attracting the ire of the far-Left and far-Right. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Graham Linehan has experienced cancel culture firsthand. After building a huge following for his work on the popular TV shows "Father Ted," "Black Books," and "The IT Crowd", Graham became concerned about unscientific gender ideology, including self-identification, males competing against females in women's sports leagues, and experimental gender medicine, including puberty blockers. Since speaking publicly about his concerns, he as faced severe personal and career repercussions. Graham is in Australia as part of his book tour with the Free Speech Union of Australia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this conversation, Zoe Booth and Freya India discuss the trend of opening up about mental health online, particularly among women. They explore the influence of mental health companies and the glamorization of mental health struggles on social media. They also discuss the risks of sharing personal information online and the pressure to document and share every aspect of life. The conversation touches on the fear of missing out (FOMO), the impact of social media on relationships, and the shift in perspective on social justice ideology. They conclude by highlighting the importance of personal responsibility and critiquing the patronizing marketing of mental health products. The conversation explores the idea of constant reassurance and intervention for women's mental health, the importance of resilience and risk-taking, the need to think less about oneself, and the value of getting out of one's own head. It also discusses the shift from victim mentality to victor mentality, the concept of Amazonian feminism, the double standard of strength and vulnerability, the power of discipline and responsibility, and the emptiness of empty cliches. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Claire and I discuss the concept of confected radicalism, which refers to young activists who seek out radical causes despite the success of past movements. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are Ashkenazi Jews indigenous to the Middle East? Is Palestinian a distinct ethnicity, different to other Arabs? Why do some races have bigger noses or eyes or butts or boobs? Are some ethnicities more homogenous than others? Is inbreeding actually terrible for your genetics or can it make them stronger? All that and more in this episode of the Quillette Cetera podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dara Macdonald, a lawyer and director of the Free Speech Union in Australia, discusses the need for a free speech union in the country and shares examples of free speech issues. She explains the support provided by the union and the Australian flavour it brings to the cause. Dara also talks about her background and interest in free speech, the Andrew Bolt Section 18C case, the importance of drawing the line between actions and speech, and the challenges of immigration and cultural values. She concludes by discussing the Great Misinformation Panic and the opposition to the draft law. This was recorded 13 October 2023 in Sydney, Australia. Read Dara's work in Quillette here: https://quillette.com/author/daramacdonald/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAzoeuBhDqARIsAMdH14EVdHI5KK7AOI3kJSn6VRDbnKPmmsXZnWvc2EWJ7zcCkVvwEdQHssAaAihbEALw_wcB Visit the FSU Australia website here: https://freespeechunion.au/quillette Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zoe speaks with the British-Palestinian writer, data scientist and peace-activist John Aziz about his viral Atlantic piece, how he came to support Zionism, and how Palestinians have a responsibility in achieving peace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oliver Traldi is a John and Daria Barry Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions in the Department of Politics at Princeton University. In this episode we discuss Oliver's latest piece for Quillette, a review of the latest book by Costin Alamariu, a polarising author and influencer who enjoys a cult-like following under the pseudonym Bronze Age Pervert. Tune in for commentary on Nietzsche, Strauss, bodybuilding, feminism and the "New Right". Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David Limbrick is a Libertarian Member of Parliament in Victoria's upper house. He has been a Quillette reader since its inception in 2015 and came along to our Quillette Social in Melbourne in September 2023. Zoe asks David about the work he's done in pushing for a "watchful waiting" approach to treating children with gender-dysphoria in Victoria, his attendance at the Let Women Speak rally, the decriminalisation of marijuana, nuclear power, and the recent election of Javier Milei. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Quillette contributor and author of Woke Antisemitism: How a Progressive Ideology Harms Jews, David Bernstein, joins Zoe to discuss the ways antisemitism manifests on the Left and Right, and to explore how universities should promote free speech on campus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Social scientist, Quillette contributor and Heterodox Academy member, Andrew Glover, joined me in September to talk about the current issues facing Australian universities when it comes to viewpoint diversity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Julian McBride is a former US Marine who served in Afghanistan and then saw active warfare in Yemen while working for the United Nations. Now trained as a forensic anthropologist, he has taught Middle Eastern History at NYU and works as a military consultant and independent journalist. After suffering PTSD, Julian found solace in art-therapy, which lead him to found a not-for-profit called the Reflections of War Initiative (ROW). Julian joins me on the podcast to debunk some of the myths that Israel's detractors level at it, and tells me about his experiences seeing true genocides and war-crimes up close. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices